If someone could help I would REALLY appreciate it.
My girlfriend has a 1996 Saturn SL1, her remote quite working and we got a new battery for it, the vehicle doesn't respond to the remote any longer, so I got another off ebay. I need to know how to program the vehicle for the new remote if someone could help, i would really appreciate it!!!!!

Thanxs alot,
-Linxxs

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First try to clean the contacts on the back of the remote keyless entry transmitter, also called a "fob." Open the fob by prying off the back piece and remote the circuit board. Carefully rub each of the contacts with a pencil eraser. There will be four contacts even though only three of them are used. Be careful because the circuit board is thin and can crack. I clean these contacts on my 1996 Saturn fobs about once a month when it seems the battery is weak or dead and this does the trick each time.

Second check that the polarity of the battery is correct as indicated in the fob.

Third try a new CR2032 battery, but you've already done that.

Okay, here is how to get your 1996 Saturn to recognize the new fob(s):

For programming new fobs or synchronizing old ones, the top right terminal need to be jumped to the 4th one from the left end in the top row of the ALDL port. Multiple Saturns can be programmed to one fob, and up to 4 fobs can be used with 1 car. All fobs must be programmed in the same session, or they will not work. It can be set to sound the horn or to be silent when activated.[list=1][*]Jump the #4 and #8 terminals together, and listen for the locks and horn to cycle. This indicates that the system is ready to be programmed.[*]Hold both the Lock and Unlock buttons at the same time for at least 8 seconds, until the locks cycle again. Each fob can be set to chirp, or be silent, individually.

To hear the horn when locking, leave the ignition off.

To keep the horn silent, cycle the key to the run position.
[*]Repeat this procedure for each fob to be programmed.[*]After all reprogramming is complete, remove the jumper wire and test all fobs to ensure they work properly.[/list=1]

Great instructions!. Do you think that would work on my '01 SC2? I would like to program it to use the '02 Vue FOB so I only have to carry around one FOB for the Saturns.

Thanks!

BobVVue02 (aka Bob 01SC2m)

Thanks! I owe this one to Chris H.

I tried this procedure on a 1997 SC2 with RKE and it did not work, so there is a chance that it won't work on your 2001 SC2 either. I'm sure that there is a similar trick to getting one fob to work both your 2001 SC2 and your 2002 VUE. Hopefully one of the Saturn Techs will see this thread and tell us how to do it.

One warning: if you do this and your Saturns are parked next to each other when you press the buttons on your fob, both Saturns will respond!

Something else you should clean inside the RKW fob, is the backside of the black rubber "buttons". I ran across this on my '96 SL1 when I cleaned the metal contacts and replaced the battery, but still had sporadic operation and limited range on the RKE.

It turns out my rubber buttons had some black "dust" on the backside that interfered with making contact on the metal strip. I suspect the previous owner may have used some type of contact cleaning chemical that is causing the rubber button to slowly disintegrate.

Just wipe the backside of the black rubber buttons with a white handkerchief or towel. If you see black on the white, the residue may be preventing a clean connection with the contact strip when the RKE button is pushed. No chemicals are necessary -- just wipe it off with a cloth each time you clean the metal contacts.

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Originally posted by geeminator Where's the receiver at in the car?...I have a 97 SL2 and have issues w/mine after buying a new battery and carefully cleaning the FOB's "guts"

I could be wrong, but I think the SSS and RKE stuff is all together. When I had to have that module replaced on my '97 SC1, I think I was told that the SSS/RKE module is back in the "C" pillar near the back window (on right side?).

BTW, I did use the synchronizing procedure outlined above with some key fobs and my '97 SC1. Seemed to work just as described.

Alas, now that I have a '03 VUE I won't be able to sync my own key fobs. I guess it was inevitable. Being able to easily do this is likely considered a security flaw.

the HumpMan

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First try to clean the contacts on the back of the remote keyless entry transmitter, also called a "fob." Open the fob by prying off the back piece and remote the circuit board. Carefully rub each of the contacts with a pencil eraser. There will be four contacts even though only three of them are used. Be careful because the circuit board is thin and can crack. I clean these contacts on my 1996 Saturn fobs about once a month when it seems the battery is weak or dead and this does the trick each time.

Second check that the polarity of the battery is correct as indicated in the fob.

Third try a new CR2032 battery, but you've already done that.

Okay, here is how to get your 1996 Saturn to recognize the new fob(s):

For programming new fobs or synchronizing old ones, the top right terminal need to be jumped to the 4th one from the left end in the top row of the ALDL port. Multiple Saturns can be programmed to one fob, and up to 4 fobs can be used with 1 car. All fobs must be programmed in the same session, or they will not work. It can be set to sound the horn or to be silent when activated.

Jump the #4 and #8 terminals together, and listen for the locks and horn to cycle. This indicates that the system is ready to be programmed.

Hold both the Lock and Unlock buttons at the same time for at least 8 seconds, until the locks cycle again. Each fob can be set to chirp, or be silent, individually.

To hear the horn when locking, leave the ignition off.

To keep the horn silent, cycle the key to the run position.

Repeat this procedure for each fob to be programmed.

After all reprogramming is complete, remove the jumper wire and test all fobs to ensure they work properly.

Ok, I realize that this is an OLD thread, but I maybe getting a new RKE for my car, and when you say jump the 4 and 8 together, you mean take like a peperclip, and bend it, one end in the 4 and one end in the 8??

I understood it to be one in each. but i know im probably wrong.

Thank you!

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Ok, I realize that this is an OLD thread, but I maybe getting a new RKE for my car, and when you say jump the 4 and 8 together, you mean take like a peperclip, and bend it, one end in the 4 and one end in the 8??

Yes. I don't have my 1996 SC2 anymore so I cannot verify this procedure anymore. But others might...!

Yes. I don't have my 1996 SC2 anymore so I cannot verify this procedure anymore. But others might...!

Ok so the way I understand it is that you take a paperclip, bend it and then put one end in the #4 terminal, and one end in the #8. I think that its said that one of these is 'hot' the one is a 'ground'? Do you know which one I should insert the paperclip into first?

Also, I'm buying a RKE for a 97 SL2, and im gonna try and use it on my 98 SL2. Does anyone know for sure if it will work?

Thanks Alot.

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